According to an investigation by Yahoo! Sports , there is now clear evidence that Reggie Bush and his family did apparently receive improper benefits while at USC. The impact this could have on the school and his image could be widespread.

While I (and others) certainly have opinions on this, and how the NCAA handles its student-athletes (cashing on their marketability, but not allowing them to receive financial help), it appears that all the rumors are indeed true. One thought: Is this news earth-shattering, or is it about as shocking as Lance Bass coming out of the closet?

[ September 14, 2006, 06:51 PM: Message edited by: Falconpride ]

The thread topic is slightly misleading. If I see "so-and-so busted" I'm thinking there was an arrest. That's not the case here.

I'm not sure it affects Reggie Bush's image much at all. I think it's widely assumed these days that star players get benefits that others don't. And if he's not running around committing crimes like Maurice Clarett, now that Bush is in the NFL, who cares?

As for how it affects USC...that's a different story.

Ok....I fixed it. Happy?

The Phillies' latest Phailure notwithstanding...yes.

Pretty much everyone in LA knows that Peter Carroll runs a loose ship when it comes to practice, with it being open to media, friends, family, passerby.....and that there are few questions asked about who some of these people are. I'm sure that will be changed, at least outwardly. But let's not be naive: lots and lots of star athletes have questionable contact with agents; it's become part of the college football culture. I don't know how the game can rein that in now.

~Adam

They can't rein it in, nor should they try. They should just attempt to have it regulated.

Posted by UCLAfan (Member # 2082) on September 15, 2006, 06:03 PM:

When college sports comes up big-time, then so do the NCAA rules violations. Reggie Bush is apparently caught up in a scandal now, where he accepted money and gifts in the neighborhood of $100,000.

The more I read this, the more it looks like Mr. Bush will lose the Heisman Trophy and it'll end up going to Vince Young by default.

While I'm all for a good scandal, this really does demonstrate, along with the satire that surrounded Jeremy Bloom's situation, that the NCAA rules do need to be updated. The players at the college level are essentially used as a free farm team for the NFL, while getting next to nothing in return for their troubles. I just think this is more of a sign that the NCAA is quite far behind the times.

Here's the Story on MSNBC

Articles I've been reading about this issue have also addressed the stepfather/mother involvement in this case, especially the stepfather. I know the media can easily influence the public's opinion about an inidividual's persona, but both of Reggie's parents seem to a big part of the problem. The stepdad specifically has come across as someone who simply saw his stepson as a financial investment & he let his greedy nature get the best of him. :mad: His mom simply went along w/ it. The stepdad seems like an authoriatarian figure so I don't know if Reggis would have had the guts to stand up to his parents. We'll certainly find out more as the case unfolds.

I agree w/ you FireCharlieManuelNow, the question now is how's this going to effect the university & the football team quite frankly. The sad thing is that in the end the university or Carroll may not have known about the "going ons" of this case, but they will more than likely have to live w/ some NCAA sanctions. Meanwhile Reggie & his parents go on w/ their lives making millions. The only penalty that Reggis may end up w/ is losing the Heisman (not to say that's not a big deal). What can happen to SC & their football team (especially if they knew nothing) because of these self-centered, greedy individuals is what can make the inequity so frustrating. Then there's the slimy agents, too, who go unpunished, which is a whole different issue that NCAA should address more aggressively, IMHO. But if you ask me, personally I don't think Carroll knew of what was going on. But of course one never knows.